Two distinct dimeric heterothiometallic W/S/Cu clusters: syntheses, crystal structures, and photocatalytic properties

Abstract In the presence of chelated ligand 1,10-Phenanthroline (phen), two heterothiometallic W/S/Cu dimeric clusters {[WS4Cu4Br2(phen)2]2·MeCN}2 (1) and {[CuBr(phen)2]2[WOS3Cu3Br2(phen)]2} (2) were obtained by the reactions of CuBr and (NH4)2WS4 or (NH4)2WOS3 in DMF solutions. 1 and 2 were determined by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction. 1 is constructed by two parallel neutral pentanuclear planar ‘open’ [WS4Cu4Br2(phen)2] clusters bridging together through two μ2-Br bridges to form a rare dimeric architecture. 2 contains two [CuBr(phen)2]+ cations and one dimeric {[WOS3Cu3Br2(phen)]2}2− anion, constructed by two tetranuclear nest-shaped [WOS3Cu3]+ clusters linking together via a pair of μ2-Br bridges. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of heterothiometallic clusters were firstly investigated under visible light irradiation by monitoring the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB), which shows 1 and 2 exhibit effective photocatalytic performances.